Whistler 2013 / 2014 - The Community Blog
Been having an awesome time riding these last few days! I’m already improving my riding massively with all the different terrain that’s currently on offer too.
So we had that really good dump of snow two nights ago and there is so much pow still untouched well within the temporary boundaries. So that’s pretty much what I’ve been riding yesterday morning and this morning just around Jersey Cream but unfortunately I found a rock just before lunch today.. Hayley is alright (the board) but I don’t think I’ll live it down with the guys I was riding with just because it was too funny.
In terms of my riding I’m getting heaps more confident with speed and jumping natural hits. This morning I also rode my first black run on Blackcomb which was Catskinner.
This weekend the new lifts are supposed to run which will open up a huge amount of more terrain too. Frothing so much looking at all the untouched possibilities still unacessable with lifts closed..
Sorry for my lack of pictures I don’t take a camera out beside the gopro and my PC is acting stupid so I can’t upload my pics and videos so I’m doing everything via the iPad..
Also I’ve got the opportunity to do my level 1 instructors course in February so just want to know what peoples thoughts are about doing it and what I should be able to do to pass etc..
Also I’ve got the opportunity to do my level 1 instructors course in February so just want to know what peoples thoughts are about doing it and what I should be able to do to pass etc..
I don’t think it is a question of if you are good enough. It sounds like (from what people have said on here - https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/14309/) that if you make the effort and work hard you will pass Lvl 1.
But I think the question is: do you want to waste your time and or money on doing it? Not saying it is a waste of time for everyone. Just thinking of you. If you guys are only going to do your 2 year stint in Whis and then come back to Aus, then unless you are thinking of being an instructor here (and part time in Perisher is a pretty good gig so you could consider that) then I wouldn’t bother.
Other might disagree but that’s my thoughts! 
Sorry for my lack of pictures I don’t take a camera out beside the gopro and my PC is acting stupid so I can’t upload my pics and videos so I’m doing everything via the iPad..
Not good enough 
Sarah and I are talking more and more about making the move here permanent as soon as we can so I can see it as a reasonable thing getting into instructing beginners. As far as I’m aware the qualification doesn’t expire? So even if I don’t use it immediately I still have it if we come back to aus or choose to stay here..
That’s correct, your qualification never expires. Although it’s probably a good idea to renew your CASI membership each year, if you are actively teaching in Canada. I can’t remember if this is compulsory but it gives you access to Pro Deals and other benefits.
I think it’s a great idea to get your CASI level 1. Not only will it give you employment opportunities, but it will really help your riding (technique and understanding).
Sarah and I are talking more and more about making the move here permanent.
Yep then go for it!!!
Also I’ve got the opportunity to do my level 1 instructors course in February so just want to know what peoples thoughts are about doing it and what I should be able to do to pass etc..
I’m here doing my level 1 and 2 at the moment and also avalanche course. Its a lot of fun and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about starting it. Level 1 is pretty straight forward so far (my exam is early next week) and Level 2 is where it starts to get harder I have been told. I’m lucky to have two really good coaches though who have been instructing for along time and are both CASI level 4 who have helped me iron out my bad habits while riding.
Also once you complete CASI Level one you become a member and get some really good Pro deals on all sorts of gear.
Sounds great, Sims_65. Are you doing your level 2 later in the season or back-to-back? The avalanche course is great (and you’ll get to shred some amazing backcountry powder). Have you started it yet or is that later as well? You’ll definitely pick up a lot of knowledge with your level 2 and avalanche cert.
I wanted to do the Avi course in Tahoe but it wasnt on at the time i was there and there was shit all snow
I wanted to do the Avi course in Tahoe but it wasnt on at the time i was there and there was shit all snow
Should’a done the Landslide Course instead?????
There was a bobsled course being run by the Jamaican team at the time but i ran out of time.
Yeah Mon!!!!!
Peak Chair opens on friday? Might just have to come up for that. Anyone knows if the runs are tracked out from the people hiking or is there still some fresh pow?
Finally made it up Blackcomb today for the first time this season and couldn’t have been happier with the end result in ticking off one of my goals for early season park riding.
Since spotting a picture of ‘Shaq’ on the whistler parks instagram the other week I started to really want to get into the big jumps at the start of the season. Having been here a while the parks can really get away from you if you ignore them for any period of time so I wanted to get in there early and get used to the jumps and make sure I keep up with them as they grow over the season.
Did a ride through of the park on my first lap then on the 2nd lap sitting at the drop in point for shaq just decided to go for it which took Ty by surprise as I hadn’t said I was definitely going for it haha. Dropped in and didn’t look back, couldn’t have been happier after landing as it was definitely the biggest jump I’ve hit to date. 2nd lap through Ty followed to get the speed and I went pretty deep into the landing (about 3/4 of the way down) but even so there was very little compression on landing - once again can’t praise the parks crew enough for shaping these jumps so well. By the end of the season it’ll be an absolute monster of a jump, have a look through some of the When In Whistler edits and you’ll get what I’m talking about.
Rest of the park is fantastic, nice mix of jumps and jibs of varying sizes from small to large to keep pretty much everyone entertained. Even with the stupidly cold temps today of -18 before windchill the snow in there was brilliant, quite possibly some of the best I’ve ridden compared to the groomers anywhere else on both mountains.
Shot of Shaq.
Decided to have a pretty casual day yesterday after the very full on pow day on Monday. went up with a bunch of friends, cut laps all morning then stopped to enjoy the afternoon sun in one of my favourite spots for a cheeky afternoon beverage later on.
Peak Chair opens on friday? Might just have to come up for that. Anyone knows if the runs are tracked out from the people hiking or is there still some fresh pow?
This is the first I’ve heard of it - I’ve heard that the new Crystal will be opened this weekend which is great news as with all the new snowmaking infrastructure theres plenty of cover out there. Can’t recall seeing many hikers up peak over the past few days as we’ve been hit by an arctic front thats dropped the temps down significantly. I’d be very careful up there as there’ll be a lot of rocks only just covered by this last snowfall. I personally won’t be going to a lot of my favourite zones in there for a while as I don’t want to risk it so early in the season.
Sweet, looking forward to your review on it! Been eyeing off their boards for a while. I like the look of that because it has flat under foot like my k2, but in the middle has camber for more spring, and kicks out after the inserts.
Bit of an update.. the board is awesome in every aspect. Charges well on groomers, super solid on boxes, even better landing jumps and plenty of pop. I think the flat underfoot is what threw me a bit as it’s the one key difference in the profile compared to the Yes boards I’ve been riding in the past. But in saying it threw me its really just amazing as it gives a very solid feeling underfoot.
Back to work tomorrow so probably won’t be any real updates until my next days off.
Thanks for the updates Finney. Which lift are you working at now?